Phones loud enough for classroom paging

[TigerTech]

Our school system is considering 3CX to replace our old Norstar MICS. Currently in a typical classroom the Norstar M7208 phone serves as the only speaker for paging and voice/intercom calls, and the volume is adequate. Because everyone we've personally spoken with about 3CX recommends Yealink phones I bought a T23G and a T40G to test as potential classroom models, then installed and configured 3CX. Unfortunately when doing an intercom call to these phones even with the volume maximized we believe they aren't loud enough to be heard reliably if there would be a modest amount of noise in the classroom.

Since manufacturers don't seem to include maximum speaker volumes in their specs it's hard to compare. Does anyone know of a simple 3CX-compatible phone capable of higher volume for intercom and paging? If not what are some inexpensive options to augment the phone speaker?

 

[leejor]

I would think that the speaker built into a set would be loud enough to be heard at a desk, without causing a heart attack in the event the volume was inadvertently left too loud (speakerphone loud).

Most uses attempting to page a large area, or in a noisy environment, would probably choose a separate amplifier and speaker system. I'm sure that some other forum members can weigh in on various models they have used, but keep in mind that what is considered "loud" by some, may not be considered loud by your users, in their environment. You may need to seek out some working sets to experience the volume for yourself.

 

[craigreilly]

CyberData has Intercom Endpoints, as well as simply paging speakers... analog and SIP...
I use a SIP endpoint ceiling speaker with a slave.
It has Multicast Paging as well as an extension for the Night Backline Ringer.
But, I think the intercom boxes are probably more of what you are after.

http://www.cyberdata.net/products/voip/digitalanalog/intercom_endpoints.html

 

[TigerTech]

We did start the process of testing some sets with the two Yealink models. I am now assuming based on those two that all Yealink speakers are pretty much the same. I'm hoping that someone with much more experience with different phones than I might be able to refer us to a particular manufacturer or model that they know is louder than Yealinks. There are many supported phone models, of course, and I hate to keep blindly buying samples without some idea of what we may be getting.

 

[craigreilly]

We did start the process of testing some sets with the two Yealink models. I am now assuming based on those two that all Yealink speakers are pretty much the same. I'm hoping that someone with much more experience with different phones than I might be able to refer us to a particular manufacturer or model that they know is louder than Yealinks. There are many supported phone models, of course, and I hate to keep blindly buying samples without some idea of what we may be getting.

I haven't seen any phone loud enough for a large room (roughly 30ppl) ... but have only worked with Fanvil, Grandstream and Yealink.

 

[TigerTech]

CyberData has Intercom Endpoints, as well as simply paging speakers... analog and SIP...

Is it possible for an analog paging speaker to be paired with a phone so that any page or intercom call that comes to the phone also goes to the external speaker? If so can you explain basically how that might be set up?

 

[craigreilly]

I use analog speakers in my warehouse which are connected to a SNOM PA1.
The speakers have their own power supply on 2 pins, and the other 2 pins connected to the PA1 speaker terminals.
I have heard of instances where folks open up the phone and connect a jack to connect a speaker.
This of course would void the warranty... and probably require not only a speaker but a power supply too.